"Equal to Heaven, Bound by Earth" A Genshin Impact Fanfic

Chapter 2: Weight of Limitations

The Angel's Share was alive with energy, patrons laughing over mugs of frothy ale, and musicians plucking lively tunes in the corner. Amber led Wukong to a table, her cheerful demeanor never wavering.

"This," she said, gesturing at the rustic tavern, "is the heart of Mondstadt. Relaxing, warm, and full of good food. Two sticky honey roasts, please!" she added, calling to Charles behind the bar.

Wukong settled into the chair across from her, his tail curling absently around the backrest. His sharp eyes roamed the room, taking in the murals depicting Mondstadt's history and the assortment of adventurers and locals.

"Quite lively," he muttered, not bothering to mask his sarcasm. "Doesn't anyone train for war here?"

Amber raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "We're not at war. Mondstadt is about freedom, remember? Barbatos believes in us to protect ourselves, and we do. Together."

"Freedom," Wukong repeated, his tone flat. He picked at the wood grain of the table. "I've seen what happens to cities that live on ideals."

Before Amber could reply, the tavern doors banged open. A Knight of Favonius, his armor battered and face streaked with sweat, staggered inside. "Emergency at the Stormbearer Mountains! A Ruin Grader's attacking travelers on the main road!"

The tavern fell silent as all eyes turned to the knight. Amber shot to her feet, her expression instantly serious. "Did you send for reinforcements?"

The knight shook his head, catching his breath. "No time. It's already moving toward the city. There are hilichurls with it, too—Pyro and Electro Shamans are rallying them."

Wukong's ears twitched at the mention of the Grader. He stood, his interest piqued. "What's this... Grader?"

Amber turned to him, her brows furrowed. "It's a giant, ancient war machine. They're tough, even for trained squads. We can't handle it alone."

He smirked, cracking his knuckles. "We'll see about that."

The battle was already underway when they arrived. Knights were locked in combat with a swarm of hilichurls, their cries punctuated by the bursts of Pyro and Electro magic from the Shamans commanding them. And towering above the chaos was the Ruin Grader—a massive, four-legged automaton with a glowing, ominous core at its center.

Amber whistled low. "This one looks worse than usual. Those glowing runes—it's powered up somehow."

Wukong ignored her, his gaze fixed on the machine. The ground shook with every step it took, its movements methodical yet relentless. It swatted a knight aside as easily as one might brush away a fly.

Amber grabbed his arm. "Listen to me! You can't brute-force this. We need to—"

"I can," he interrupted, pulling free. Without another word, he sprinted toward the battlefield.

Amber groaned, nocking an arrow. "Stubborn monkey!"

Wukong leapt high into the air, his enhanced legs launching him toward the Ruin Grader's head. He landed on its shoulder with a metallic thud, his claws digging into the ancient metal. The Grader's core flared in response, its mechanical head swiveling to target him.

With a roar, Wukong slammed his fist into the machine's eye. The impact left a visible dent, sparks flying as the Grader stumbled back a step.

The surrounding knights paused, stunned by the sheer force of the blow. Even Amber, watching from a distance, gaped. "Did... did he just stagger a Ruin Grader?"

But the machine was far from defeated. It swiped at Wukong with a massive arm, forcing him to leap off its shoulder. He landed in a crouch, the earth cracking beneath him.